Growing up, my mum worked with young people and adults with disabilities for several years, many of whom had Down Syndrome. This has always been a cause that has been very important to my family and we need to be able to support and help families of those with disabilities. I am delighted to offer my support for my colleague, Dr Liam Fox MP's Down Syndrome Private Members' Bill, which also has the crucial support of the Government to progress. The Second Reading of this Bill is scheduled for this Friday.
There are around 47,000 people with Down Syndrome in the UK, and many face significant challenges, along with their families, at all stages of their lives. They often have poorer health outcomes than other people with a learning disability. Sadly, the pandemic has again highlighted this.
That is why this Bill will:
- improve services and life outcomes for people with Down Syndrome, by requiring that a number of authorities when providing certain health, social care, education and housing services take account of government guidance.
- The guidance will set out the steps it would be appropriate to take to meet the specific needs of people with Down Syndrome.
- Raise relevant authorities’ awareness of their existing legal duties, and improve knowledge and understanding of how to meet the needs of people with Down Syndrome.
- Require the Government to consult on the proposed guidance and we intend to do so widely, including with people with Down Syndrome, families, carers and those responsible for implementing the guidance to ensure that it meets the needs of people with Down Syndrome.
- Alongside this, Ministers are considering how people can seek and are supported to seek redress where they do not receive the support they are entitled to.
- Place a new duty on the Secretary of State to issue guidance in England to certain health, social care, housing and education authorities.
- This will set out the steps it would be appropriate for relevant authorities to take in order to meet the needs of people with Down Syndrome.
- Create a new duty on the relevant authorities to have due regard to the guidance when exercising certain functions.
- Together, these duties are intended to ensure that these authorities take account of the specific needs of people with Down Syndrome when planning, designing and providing services and support.
I agree with my colleagues that placing a statutory duty on relevant authorities to have due regard to the guidance ensures there is a level playing field for people with Down Syndrome. This will ensure the specified authorities take specific account of the identifiable and unique needs of people with Down Syndrome. This vitally includes when planning, designing and providing services and support, so they can access the support they are entitled to.
Through the approaches outlined above, this fantastic Bill will address the inequalities faced by people with Down Syndrome and lead to better life outcomes. I look forward to following this Bill's progression through the House, alongside my West Sussex colleague, Gillian Keegan MP.